User Reviews

I really love Takako Shimura's love stories. They aren't necessarily the happiest, but they feel so much more realistic, so much more human than anything else out there. She's the master of the 'perfectly unfinished' ending. Fulfilling yet open-ended.

The topic of transgenderism has already been handled by other reviewers, I'm sure. So I'll just say that she manages ...

...then watch this anime.

I really love Takako Shimura's love stories. They aren't necessarily the happiest, but they feel so much more realistic, so much more human than anything else out there. She's the master of the 'perfectly unfinished' ending. Fulfilling yet open-ended.

The topic of transgenderism has already been handled by other reviewers, I'm sure. So I'll just say that she manages to use that main theme beautifully to create a story about growing up and friendship.

Some romance/drama animes I feel like I'm shoveling my way through the first 10 (out of 11) episodes so that I can enjoy a happy ending. But with this show, I felt the story progressing, and I felt the sad parts, but I didn't get the feeling that the author was dragging me through the dumps so that I could be lifted out in the last 5 minutes. In other words, the emotions laid on me didn't feel cheap. Wandering Son earns every bit of drama and joy in each episode.

This show takes less than 4 hours to watch. Do yourself a favor and get started.

This anime is actually based on a manga by Shimura Takako, a mangaka that specializes in realistic slice of life about LGBT individuals. She is also known as the author of Aoi Hana, about lesbian teenagers in Japan.

This anime series is very faithful to her work, including the artwork with muted colors and backgrounds that seem to be watercolor paintings. The pace and reflective approach to the ...

This anime is actually based on a manga by Shimura Takako, a mangaka that specializes in realistic slice of life about LGBT individuals. She is also known as the author of Aoi Hana, about lesbian teenagers in Japan.

This anime series is very faithful to her work, including the artwork with muted colors and backgrounds that seem to be watercolor paintings. The pace and reflective approach to the story is also very faithful to the manga. However, the anime starts from the middle of the story, it still identifies the characters quickly enough, but reading the first volumes of the manga wouldn't hurt for the appreciation of the anime itself.

Anyway, the story here is about two young kids who suffer from gender dysphoria, meaning that they are unhappy with the sex they were born with. One is a boy and the other is a girl, who have found support in each other and have even taken to cross dressing. In many other shows, this would have been treated as a setup for slapstick, not here. Other animes would treat it as a big drama all the way, concentrating only on that. This show manages to approach the issue intelligently and respectfully, it's not used for cheap jokes or cheap drama.

In fact, this isn't a dramatic series, it's a slice of life series. The characters aren't defined only by their transgender leanings, they are complete individuals who have to live their lives like anyone else, who have friends and romantic feelings too, but with the added complication of their gender dysphoria. Even when big events occur, life goes on for them, there is no big end in sight, no end line, no final boss, just like in real life. This anime, and the manga it's based on, shows this perfectly. So don't expect a satisfying resolution at the end of the anime, the manga is still ongoing and the anime producers (wisely) chose to avoid deviating from the source by including an ending to the story in the series.

If anything, the problem may be that the approach is a bit too mature, the characters seem a bit too mature and reasoned relative to their years. But it's forgivable.

I won't go into the details of the story. This is highly recommended, one of those series that elevate anime as a genre because of its exploration of gender issues and its well-developped characters and story, all of that while avoiding the pitfall of pseudo-artistic snobbery, it is still accessible to a mainstream public.

I really enjoyed this show. My favorite thing about it is that the writer made some very relate-able characters. I loved how they portrayed the young love triangles from hell. I think it portrayed very real feelings with in the trans community quite tastefully by showing the good times and the bad times. Why isn't it a 5/5 though? Well I feel like the last episode did not tie up what happens after ...

I really enjoyed this show. My favorite thing about it is that the writer made some very relate-able characters. I loved how they portrayed the young love triangles from hell. I think it portrayed very real feelings with in the trans community quite tastefully by showing the good times and the bad times. Why isn't it a 5/5 though? Well I feel like the last episode did not tie up what happens after the viewers leave the show and barely even suggest/hint towards possibilities. I did love it though and had my own share of feels! I would recommend it!

An anime that treats a very sensitive subject -LGBT- perfectly ! It shows everyone point of view from the one who doesn't understand to a transgender adult ! This serie should resonate with everyone, whatever point of view you have ; it's a very unique and heartful serie !

It's a pleasure to see queer subject matter being explored anywhere, much less in such a wonderfully well-executed fashion. The issue of gender was explored in the form of the relationships that the well-written characters built amongst each other, from supportive friendships to awkwardness arising from burgeoning romance. There were some genuinely moving moments amongst the mix. I really ...

It's a pleasure to see queer subject matter being explored anywhere, much less in such a wonderfully well-executed fashion. The issue of gender was explored in the form of the relationships that the well-written characters built amongst each other, from supportive friendships to awkwardness arising from burgeoning romance. There were some genuinely moving moments amongst the mix. I really enjoyed watching how brave little Shu grew into her identity. I was mildly annoyed by the cliché of "being born in the wrong body", as it still presupposes pat little boxes that society continues to want to draw around people, but I guess you have to start somewhere.
The first episode starts somewhere in the middle of the manga, so it takes a bit of concentration to figure out who's who and how they are related to each other, but honestly it isn't bad and the show is so worth sticking with it.

This was really good anime about a boy who wants to be a girl, and a girl who wants to be a boy. Sadly, it's a lot easier to be a girl, since it's fine for girls to wear trousers, but if boy wears a dress, he's a sick pervert.

Normally in anime, genderbending is just a source of humor. In WanSon, it's serious.

I'm sad that this is not really popular in CR, there's lots of bad harem series ...

This was really good anime about a boy who wants to be a girl, and a girl who wants to be a boy. Sadly, it's a lot easier to be a girl, since it's fine for girls to wear trousers, but if boy wears a dress, he's a sick pervert.

Normally in anime, genderbending is just a source of humor. In WanSon, it's serious.

I'm sad that this is not really popular in CR, there's lots of bad harem series above this. If everyone would watch this, maybe the world would be a little better place to live.

It's not very often that you watch a series and you get transported completely into the thoughts and hearts of the characters but this series did just that. I felt for the characters and felt genuine concern for them! It is a story of friendship, romance, growing up and growing different. I think everyone could learn a little bit from this series and it may change the way you treat people in the ...

It's not very often that you watch a series and you get transported completely into the thoughts and hearts of the characters but this series did just that. I felt for the characters and felt genuine concern for them! It is a story of friendship, romance, growing up and growing different. I think everyone could learn a little bit from this series and it may change the way you treat people in the future as well. I think it teaches compassion in a way.

For a series that dared to write on a topic that is even held at an oddity in Japan (whose culture has a more androgynous nature than most. IE: Kabuki, Genderbender cafes [They really do happen in festivals.], higher likelihood for men to dress as women for events like Halloween than in other counties, etc.), they delve into the mindset of the people who do have those affinities. While I can't ...

For a series that dared to write on a topic that is even held at an oddity in Japan (whose culture has a more androgynous nature than most. IE: Kabuki, Genderbender cafes [They really do happen in festivals.], higher likelihood for men to dress as women for events like Halloween than in other counties, etc.), they delve into the mindset of the people who do have those affinities. While I can't fully understand that or judge it, I can completely appreciate the take on it and how realistic I can see said mindsets, this being based on personal friends in similar situations. I felt that they took the usual liberty of an anime and creating a cast that was much more understanding in this sort of setting than in a typical middle school but that is still fine with me. Momo, while I was incredibly annoyed at through the series represented personally to me the typical straight, homophobic person of a group that reacted a tad exaggerated but still within the lines of being believable.

They throw many loops in the story that you would be able to call originally when trying to predict the end (like I did with two main characters), but then throw you for a loop you thought more likely to happen (like how I really thought things would've turned out), just to turn it around again to bring you back to your original mindset of the ending. Which was very touching in my opinion.

Very well written and amazingly drawn out. The soft pastel like colors gave it an almost dreamy like state, as if you were actually seeing a play screenplayed out for you.

Definite recommendation for anyone who considers themselves homosexual, transgender, straight but open minded to this subject, and straight but has close friends who are either of the previous, and those who wish they could better grasp the mindset of their friends to try to understand them on a better level (I place myself in this category. Which I fully understand this wont give a completely accurate picture, I still felt it was a solid aid and I'll follow up with this writer to see other work and if this story was based on a friend/themself)

As a fan of the manga the anime told the story rather well with such a limited number of episodes. The animation style is beautiful,although it took me a few minutes to get over the differences in appearance of certain characters particularly hair color. This anime is rich with depth and compassion plus the ending will put a tear in your eye.[Continue reading for an in depth summary of the ...

As a fan of the manga the anime told the story rather well with such a limited number of episodes. The animation style is beautiful,although it took me a few minutes to get over the differences in appearance of certain characters particularly hair color. This anime is rich with depth and compassion plus the ending will put a tear in your eye.[Continue reading for an in depth summary of the manga,which will help those who have not read the manga better understand this anime.] Hourou Musuko is a manga written and illustrated by Takako Shimura this story endears you to the two main characters nearly immediately. The two central characters are Shuichi Nitori and Yoshino Takatsuki meet when Shuichi transfers to a new school while in fifth grade the quiet,cute,polite,rather feminine Shuichi(Shu for short) meets and befriends Yoshino a tall rather boyish girl. Soon after becoming friends Shu reveals to Yoshino his desire to become a girl, while Yoshino reveals her desire to become a boy to Shu which brings them even closer. After a while Shu becomes friends with two other girls in his class Saori Chiba and Kanako Sasa. Before I continue I will tell a little about Shu and Yoshino's home lives Yoshino has a mother who constantly tries to get her to try and wear more feminine attire, a father, a older brother,and a older sister. Shu's family consist of his sister Maho their relationship is rather complex, a dad and mom who are understanding. Now that you have had a glimpse into their home lives back to the story Saori is almost instantly drawn to Shu and encourages him to crossdress more often, in one chapter she invites him over and tries to give him nearly her entire wardrobe Saori brings up the fact that her accepts clothes from Yoshino Shu replies that it's different. Saori's mom tells her not to press Shu and ends up choosing one dress. Meanwhile Yoshino goes on outings where she passes as a boy, one day at a burger joint she is approached by an young woman who introduces herself as Yuki. Eventually Yoshino invites Shu to accompany her on her excursions allowing him to pass as a girl, they go to the burger joint again Yuki is there with a man named Shiina(her boyfriend) and they become friends with them. Around this time Shu and Yoshino start an exchange diary when Saori finds out she becomes angry this is when a small rift in her friendship with Yoshino begins. So Saori starts her own exchange diary with Kanako. As the story progresses there are many unsuspected twist and turns.

Many different situations and vantage points are dealt with in this manga and anime,Takako Shimura is able to convey the angst,joy,and fear of Shu and Yoshino it's truely amazing Hourou Musuko is so much more than a manga about two teen with gender identity issues. It's about life,love,happiness,friends,family,and emotions it's about two teens who happen to be a little different,but they strive to be themselves they're not depicted as outcast. I commend Takako Shimura for her thought provoking manga Hourou Musuko it could enlighten a person's opinion on gender and life itself. I highly recommend this anime and manga(which is still being produced).

I am a big fan of this series and the big step forward this series is in tackling series social issues which plague the world and Japan in particular.

Storyline: I have read the manga up to its most current chapter, and the anime downplays the transgenderism of the manga in a serious way. For example, there is no sense of "growing out" of the gender dysphoria for Nitori Shuichi in the ...

I am a big fan of this series and the big step forward this series is in tackling series social issues which plague the world and Japan in particular.

Storyline: I have read the manga up to its most current chapter, and the anime downplays the transgenderism of the manga in a serious way. For example, there is no sense of "growing out" of the gender dysphoria for Nitori Shuichi in the manga. Puberty only becomes a larger problem as Nitori discovers that he can no longer pass as a female. In my opinion, this choice to downplay trangendrism in the anime probably has to do with the strict gender roles in Japan and the satisfaction for the audience that would arise if the 'problem' just goes away.

While I have misgivings about how the anime subverts the main conflict in the end, I must commend the anime makers for some very exceptional scenes. For instance, the bridge scene from the first episode is one of the most beautiful and heart-rendering moments of all anime in my opinion.

Music: I did not enjoy the opening song, but the ending song by Rie Fu is deserving of much praise. The background music during the bridge scene of the first episode greatly underscores some the masterpieces of sensitivity in this anime.

Characters: This is an exceptional character-driven anime. While there are flaws in the storyline, the characters are a breath of fresh air because of their complexity and emotionality. Critics have oft pointed out the almost superhuman maturity most of these middle schoolers have, but I think of that as one of many necessary idealizations in this series which asks the audience to go deeper within themselves and arrive at a higher sensitivity.
Animation: My only misgiving about the animation is that I prefer how the manga does the character's hair. In the manga, one can see individual strains of hair on Takatsuki Yooshino's head, and Shimura Takako, the mangaka, often uses her characters hair in order to express emotions.

I suggest that anyone who likes the anime to read the manga, for which the first volume will be coming to the U.S. in June (2011).

About the Show

Nitori Shuichi is a boy who sees himself as a girl. He transfers to a new elementary school, and there, meets Takatsuki Yoshino, a tall and
Nitori Shuichi is a boy who sees himself as a girl. He transfers to a new elementary school, and there, meets Takatsuki Yoshino, a tall and attractive young girl, who also dreams of being the opposite sex. ...more